Windows 7 Randomly Uninstalls Programs

Question

Hello, 

Haven't been able to find a solution or any mention of this from anyone else, but I've had a rather odd problem with Windows. This is the second time I've noticed it happening. 

Essentially, Windows has apparently randomly uninstalled a program (a game) that I haven't used in a while (maybe for a couple of months). I even searched the OS afterwards and there is barely any trace of the game being there except for a shortcut that obviously now doesn't lead anywhere. This happened to me a few years ago, again with a game that I had not used in some time; the same thing happened, it disappeared without a trace except for the short cut. The games are installed directly, not via Steam or anything. I suppose it is not especially relevant, but the games in question were L.A. Noire and GTA: Vice City. 

Any comments or ideas on this would be greatly appreciated; I still have the install files and obviously they are just games, so it doesn't present a major issue, but it's just an annoying problem I would like to prevent happening in future if possible. 

Thanks, 

AAM

Answer 1

Right, well I don't use any such software, and I haven't accidentally uninstalled anything (as I say, I haven't actually used either of these programs for some time). 

I would agree that there is something afoot, but in the spirit of the detective you appear to be channelling, rather than twisting the facts to fit these theories, how about changing the theory to fit the facts? The facts are that I have not accidentally uninstalled them, have not used them in some time, yet now they are gone without my input. Any ideas (from anyone) on how that might happen rather than suggesting the problem I'm having is not as I describe?

Answer 2

The part about  a torrent download was just a wild guess. I've never used a torrent version of a game.

Or, maybe you have a mystery malware ?  Just another wild guess though as I've never heard of a

malware that uninstalls  stuff either, but maybe....

The due care was in regard to if you use any system 'optimising' software that may uninstall

or 'clean' registry entries for software, that is infrequently used. Or even simple things such as

double clicking on the title of a game when browsing Programs and Features (something I've done when thinking a particular software may have a 'repair' option) and having it uninstall in the blink of an eye.

Any other suggestions would also be wild guesses. Software/games just don't uninstall themselves,

and their install folders don't just go missing,  no matter how long it's been since you used them.

There must be something afoot, Watson.  ;)  Either nefarious, or accidental .

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Answer 3

Thanks for the reply, I haven't used System Restore at all for a long time, don't think it's anything to do with that. Certainly not around the same time that I found this happening to the games. Don't use any software like that either. 

One of the games was from a torrent (scratched the Vice City disc and didn't really want to have to buy it again). I've never heard of torrents deleting themselves though, any more information you can give me on that? 

None of those seem to apply and please let me know what due care I can take to prevent this happening. I have just noticed it has happened to two other games as well.

Answer 4

One possibility is if you use System Restore near the time you install the games.

System Restore has a button - "Scan for affected programs" that will show you what may get

uninstalled when restoring to that time (you may need to use the "choose a different restore point"

option for this).

Another option would be if you use some 'clean up/optimise your PC' software that has an option

to uninstall software you haven't been using recently.

Or, if the two games are from torrent downloads maybe they self destructs after X amount of time ? ;)

Whatever the case, games/software don't uninstall themselves if due care is exercised by the user.

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